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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To Not wanting to explain my DD name

161 replies

HidingInTheBathroom · 24/09/2011 10:35

My DD is 20 month old. She is called Dallas. I have named her Dallas after my great aunt who is no longer with us as my Aunty Dallas did alot for me when she was alive and holds a dear place in my heart

My problem is that when people ask me what my daughters name they dont seem to like the answer. They pull there face and say well that's unusual. I then feel like I have too explain it.

AIBU to feel like telling them to pit there face straight.

OP posts:
BuntyPenfold · 24/09/2011 23:59

Dallas is a great name. It isn't oddball or hard to spell; it is very pretty.
It would make me think you had visited or maybe grew up in Dallas I suppose, and be envious.

FrauLindor · 25/09/2011 00:10

Gosh, you lot, could you be a bit less judgey and snobbish.

Dallas is a lovely name. And even of you don't think so, it is bloody rude to tell someone that you think it is daft or pull a face.

How many threads are started by people asking how to react when friend tells them name of baby and EVERYONE says: smile and say 'lovely'.

OP
'i named her after my favourite aunt, Dallas' and if anyone is so rude to comment on your choice, just ignore.

FrauLindor · 25/09/2011 00:11

And I did wonder if you were a JD Robb fan. Her heroine is called Eve Dallas.

Deuce · 25/09/2011 00:15

FARK

What a name to saddle your dd with.

FunnysInTheGarden · 25/09/2011 00:18

the only way to deal with it is to show your DD that she has a fab name. When she is old enough, reassure her that it is lovely and soon enough she will be proud of it. My DS's both have unusual names which illicit Hmm from a lot of people. We love their names though and so far, so do they. No teasing etc at all.

IWouldNotCouldNotWithAGoat · 25/09/2011 00:25

Look, if you choose to name your kid Dallas then a lot of people's first thought will be 'Christ, Dallas? As in the 80s soap opera?' And this will show on their faces. There's not much you can do about it. Either change her name or learn to deal with it.

1944girl · 25/09/2011 00:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Deuce · 25/09/2011 00:30

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet.

BuntyPenfold · 25/09/2011 00:32

No need for that Deuce.

FunnysInTheGarden · 25/09/2011 00:34

Deuce what a nasty post. It's not about whether you like the name or not, it's how to deal with people like you!

Deuce · 25/09/2011 00:35

Really Bunty?

Deuce · 25/09/2011 00:37

Lol at you lot.

Gaurentee you have a Hannah / Abbie / Ellen or such likes not a Dallas

BuntyPenfold · 25/09/2011 00:39

I have a Rowan Elizabeth, if you really want to know.
How about you?

Deuce · 25/09/2011 00:41
Grin
FrauLindor · 25/09/2011 07:56

Deuce
It is not about the names of my DC, but the reaction of some rude people on hearing the OP's name choice.

And your posts were neither kind nor helpful.

FFS. Mumsnet is supposed to be a place where parents can find support when thy are troubled, not a place where someone kicks them when they are down.

Don't be so bloody nasty.

BaldPlumber · 25/09/2011 08:12

Why on earth didn't you use Dallas as a middle name?

notsofastmrbond · 25/09/2011 08:14

This place is weird.

There's about 25 people on a thread in baby names giving Zebedee the thumbs up. Yet you want to pick apart Dallas?

Perfectly nice name IMO, I suspect it's just got the snobs turning their noses up as it's not the done thing to use a place name for a childs name (even though OP has explained that's not the origin).

Ignore the Bodenites OP. When people ask her name just say Dallas, with a big broad smile and move on.

FrauLindor · 25/09/2011 08:19

Notsofast
I know. There was a thread recently where posters were agreeing that Gaia (I think that was the spelling) was a great name.

Obviously if the name is from Greek mythology or cult TV series, it is fine

Hmm
RitaMorgan · 25/09/2011 08:26

The MN rules are - you either call your children something very ordinary like George and Fred or achingly posh like Ottilie and Octavia. No other options Grin

Thumbwitch · 25/09/2011 08:29

Ottilie always makes me think Ottilie Bottilie, without exception. Sorry.

CheerfulYank · 25/09/2011 08:38

Octavia is "chavvy" in the US, so there . And Tarquin would just be a ridiculous made-up name, brother to MaKayla maybe.

I like Dallas. I had a relative named that, a great great uncle or something. It was a name before it was a city, wasn't it? So that puts is squarely in the Caroline/Charlotte camp as far as I'm concerned. :)

Aftereightsaremine · 25/09/2011 08:40

I have a very unusual name & was named after a relative. I absolutely hate it & whenever I have wanted to change it have met with emotional blackmail from my family.

I hate having to spell it & having to explain it.

I do not understand the need to give unusual names to your children & I really resent my parents for doing it.

But your dd may not.

Aftereightsaremine · 25/09/2011 08:47

And I should really have got over it by now.

Bunbaker · 25/09/2011 09:07

"One of my best friends has an unusual first name with an unusual spelling because her mother is foreign and it's a common name in her home country. I've known this friend for over 25 years and she's always having to spell it for people, correct the pronunciation, explain where it's from. She accepts it goes with the territory ... but has given her own children dead ordinary names so they're not plagued with the same problem"

That could have been me you have written about. I hated my name as a child and still don't really like it. My daughter is also named after a favourite auntie, but it is a name that everyone has heard of and can spell - there is only one spelling for her name as far as I know.

I think the face pulling is downright rude, but I think you have to expect that people will comment on an unusual name. Maybe they are curious and want to understand where it comes from. Unfortunately people of a certain age (like me Smile) will immediately associate the name Dallas with a 1970s/80s american soap of the same name.

FrauLindor · 25/09/2011 09:09

A lot of people are commenting based on their own experience.

My DD has an unusual name (where we live) but loves it. She is pleased not to be 'another sophie or anna' as she said.